OXFORD Olympic gold medal winner Andy Triggs Hodge has two reasons to celebrate – he can now finally go on his honeymoon.

Mr Triggs Hodge, who lives off Cowley Road, took gold in the men’s rowing four on Saturday, beating rivals Australia in a thrilling race at Eton Dorney.

The former Oxford University student said he was “the happiest man in the world” following his win.

Mr Triggs Hodge, 33, lives with his wife, Eeke, a doctor at the John Radcliffe Hospital .

The 29-year-old was in the crowd to cheer her husband and his team on for their victory.

Rowing alongside Oxford Blue Pete Reed, Henley’s Tom James and Leander Club’s Alex Gregory, Mr Triggs Hodge, described their victory race as a “masterpiece”.

But afterwards he admitted winning gold meant he has had had to “sacrifice” his responsibilities as a husband.

The couple were married in December 2010, but Mr Triggs Hodge’s training commitments meant they could not celebrate for long.

Mrs Triggs Hodge, who is a trainee surgeon, said:  “Later on in the year we’ll go on a proper holiday and look to get our honeymoon, which we didn’t have.

“We had a lovely three-and-a- half days in Devon after our wedding, but that was all that we could manage.”

Mrs Triggs Hodge has one more week of leave left before she will return to work at the JR.
“I had a good excuse to get leave and I have had great support from my medical team at the JR,” she said.

Mrs Triggs Hodge said: “We love Oxford. We lived in London for a bit, but we much prefer Oxford.

The couple met through sport as Mrs Triggs Hodge explained.

She said: “I rowed for Holland for seven years internationally – and that is how we met at a training camp.”

Speaking immediately after his Olympic triumph on Saturday, Mr Triggs Hodge said: “We owe debt of thanks to everyone who helped us on our way. I’m just so proud right now. It’s phenomenal. I’m the happiest man in the world, I’m on cloud nine.”

His victory prompted celebrations around the city he calls home.

Punters at the Cape of Good Hope pub on The Plain watched the race nervously, cheering and clapping as their local hero triumphed.

Duty manager Robin Orman said: “We were showing it here and had lots of people in to watch it.

“People were getting quite vocal towards the end. We knew he was from round here so that was great.

“We send him all our best wishes, we really enjoyed watching them.”

And Oxford University spokesman Jonathan Wood added: “It’s great news, we are delighted and all our congratulations go to him.”

Mr Triggs Hodge was joined in the boat by Oxford Blue Pete Reed, Henley’s Tom James and Alex Gregory from the Leander club in Henley.